Planning a visit or stay by Perissa beach in Santorini? Our guide’s got you covered!

Santorini's reputation as one of Europe's chic-est, most in-demand destinations is due to its stunning whitewashed villages climbing up the steep side of the caldera, rather than the beaches.

Far fewer in number than you may imagine for a Greek island, with black volcanic sand rather than powder white on blue, they take a little getting used to in terms of aesthetics; if you're looking for those sorts of beaches on your Mediterranean holiday, then it’s time to adjust your expectations.

However, if the colour of the sand isn’t an issue and you'd prefer to take day trips around little Santorini to its signature villages and vineyards from your sunbathing and sea-swimming base by the beach, Perissa is the place for you.

And, if you're simply looking for a chilled out beach day trip away from the crowded streets on the popular north side of the island, we think it's the best option on Santorini.

Perissa skews slightly younger than elsewhere on the island, but isn’t a crazy party spot. The laid-back beach resort town on the east coast has a good selection of mid-range to luxury accommodations, calm waters for swimming, chilled bars, and is way more suited to many of our readers than the overly-developed nearby package-holiday hub of Kamari, which wasn't our cup of tea at all.

In this short guide, we've shared everything you need to know to plan ahead for your stay or day trip to Perissa. From the best accommodation picks, where to eat, and the prettiest stretches of the seven kilometre beach, to tips on transport connections, day trips, and the best activities, this is our traveller’s guide to Perissa.

The Five | Best Accommodations in Perissa

As a holiday destination for different travel styles and budgets, choosing the right place for your own travel style is really important in Perissa.

We've shared more advice and options later in the post, but these are our picks for the very best hotels, hostels, and apartments on or near the seafront:

Aqua Blue Beach Hotel

Top Tip // If you’re using Perissa for your base in Santorini and don’t plan on renting a car, we recommend booking this affordable, super popular and highly rated pre-arranged transfer from the airport to your accommodation in advance of your arrival.

Our Favourite Things to Do in Perissa, Santorini

Chill Out On Perissa Beach

Perissa Beach is perfect for a lazy day of sunbathing and relaxation.

Importantly, as it’s relatively sheltered by Mesa Vouno hill, it has calm, pleasant waters for swimming (quite a bit better than Kamari on the other side of the hill) and is less affected by the winds which can be strong in Santorini.

Stretching out for about seven kilometres (it merges into the indistinguishable Perívolos beach), there's plenty of space for everyone to find their own spot to lay down a towel - even in peak season - as well as a bunch of laid-back seafront restaurants and bars offering sun loungers & umbrellas. As it’s more fine pebbles than soft sand, nabbing a sun lounger for the day is a good idea if you’re settling in for a while, and we were pleasantly surprised to find that most restaurants offer these for free if you’re eating or drinking with them that day (beach service and use of facilities is also included). A minimum spend may be required at certain places depending on the season.

In July and August, the number of places offering free sun beds reduces, but you can still rent one umbrella and two sun beds for around €10 -15.

Some of the larger, fancier sea front accommodations - such as Meltemi Blu and Aqua Blue Beach Hotel - have private beach areas with sun loungers exclusively for theirs guests, so bear that in mind if Perissa is going to be your holiday base and you plan on some serious beach time.

The greatest concentration of parasols and beds is at the top end of the beach toward the bus stop, Church of the Holy Cross, and Mesa Vouno (here on Google Maps). However, you are still permitted to lay a towel down between them and the sea (unlike the lidos in Italy); there’s also a good local’s spot for swimming and sunbathing in this section.

Travel Tip // We recommend taking more sunscream than you expect to use in Santorini as 1. the sun is really strong out here and 2. when you run out early, it'll cost about €20 at the shops here to get another one! Read more practical tips and essential advice in 23 Things To Know Before You Visit Santorini (published soon)

Eat At Tranquilo

Long-time readers of Along Dusty Roads will know that we spend a lot of our time travelling out in Latin America, and that's actually where this blog was born way back in 2014.

We seriously didn't expect to feel like we had transported ourselves back there on a Santorini holiday, but Tranquilo felt like it would be home on the coast of Colombia or Nicaragua.

Unmissable with its bright orange colour palette, so many elements reminded us of our favourite hangouts and hostels in that part of the world: hand-painted signs of driftwood, furniture made from pallets, and a Bob Marley soundtrack in the sunshine. Chuck in the fact that its name, several dishes, and a bunch of signs are in Spanish, and we’re almost certain there was some inspiration drawn from over there.

However, back to the important stuff for your trip. Aside from being one of the coolest, chilled out hangouts in Santorini with really friendly staff, Tranquilo serves up a range of vegetarian Greek dishes as well humungous salads and burgers. Emily still dreams of the Yahnie potatoes dish, and we highly recommend everyone (veggie or not) eating here at least once in Perissa.

It’s also very fairly-priced for Santorini.

Where + When | Open from 8/9am until 1.30am, Tranquilo is on the long street of bars, restaurants, and accommodations running parallel with Perissa beach. Find it here on Google Maps.

Note that Tranquilo is attached to Utopia Hostel, and its large sun beds are free and reserved only for their guests, not people eating + drinking.

Rent A Boat & Watersports

As we mention in 13 Wonderful Things To Do in Santorini, heading out on the water is a great way to explore the island and create a memorable travel day.

There are a few different businesses along the shore here offering water ski rental, wake boarding, and the chance to hire your own boat for a half-day. No licence or experience is required for the latter, and we’ve been fortunate enough to do it in Menorca and Calabria; it’s not cheap but it’s a really fun experience.

Volcano Watersports is the largest operator and would offer a convenient start/end point if you’re based in Perissa, but their website is unfortunately poor in terms of its activity descriptions and book-ability, so we would suggest getting in touch with them before confirming anything.

Alternatively, there are other self-drive boat rentals available to book here

The Santorini Dive Centre company is also based here, or you can find + book caldera scuba diving experiences for first-timers here.

Cocktails & Chill

Along the single long street which comprises most of what Perissa has to offer beyond the sand and sea, you will find a dozen or so beachfront restaurants offering up the more standard Santorini dining out offering, and you’ll be chatted to by the waiters outside every time you walk past to try and get your custom.

There are a lot of standard, traditional options on both sides, but a few that caught our eye for hanging out in the day or head to for drinks in the evening were Beach Bar and Waves.

Both offer sunbeds, snacks, and beach service during the day, as well as cocktails and live music (some nights) in the evenings. Ntomani is also popular.

Note that, the further out of summer season you visit Perissa, the more likely that some businesses won’t have opened yet or will be shutting up. Arrive from May to mid-October though, and you’ll usually have a full selection to choose from.

Take A Santorini Day Trip

As mentioned, we think Perissa is the best shout if you’re looking for a base by the beach in Santorini.

From here, you’re never more than 45-minutes drive away from a number of the best things to do in Santorini - like the caldera villages, the Fira to Oia hike, vineyard visits, and Pyrgos,

Although it has a regular direct bus to Fira (25 minutes, €1.60) - from where you can make connections to the rest of the island - those of you hoping to explore more of the island independently should consider renting your own wheels.

There are a couple of companies in the town who can facilitate this for you, if you’re just looking for a spontaneous car or ATV rental for a day or two. There’s also an eco-bicycle rental.

However, if you value flexibility and the opportunity to visit the best sunset spots, viewpoints and dine elsewhere in the evening, the better value option is to rent a car in advance to collect on arrival at the airport.

We picked up a Fiat 500 for the week for under £90, booked via Rentalcars.com, which saved on taxis to/from the airport and allowed us to explore all over. We’ve written a couple of posts that we recommend reading before making the best decision for your budget and travel style though:

· 7 Things To Know Before Driving in Santorini (published soon)

· How To Get Around Santorini

If renting a car or ATV isn’t desirable, and you don’t want to depend on the public bus, there are a couple of large, establish tour companies in Perissa that will arrange excursions. However, we recommend first checking out the many fantastic experiences GetYourGuide and Viator, which offer a much wider selection of experiences, free cancellation, price comparison, and the chance to read traveller reviews. Many of the tours there also include free hotel pick-up and drop-off in Perissa.

Plan / For more information and inspiration on the best day trips from Perissa, we recommend reading 13 Wonderful Things To Do in Santorini.

Go On A Hike

The most unmissable trail in Santorini is the Fira to Oia hike, and we highly recommend everyone putting their trainers on to take in its magnificent views of the caldera and its whitewashed villages.

If you’re based in Perissa though, and looking to off-the-beaten-path or work off a few indulgent days, then you’re ideally situated for a few hiking trails starting by the sea.

Ancient Thera | The impressively intact ruins atop Mesa Vuono, the hill which looms over Perissa, can be reached via a very, very, winding drive up. However, you can also do the trail up the other side from Perissa. Note that there’s an entry fee of €6 to enter the ruins. Find more details here.

Profits Ilias | Prophet Elias Monastery, near the village of Pyrgos, is on the summit of Mount Profitis Ilias. Approximately 567 meters above sea level, it’s the highest point on th island and offers excellent panoramic views. Find out more here.

Pyrgos | The beautiful hilltop town of Pyrgos is where we were based for our week in Santorini (at this lovely Airbnb) and it should absolutely be in your plans. If you want to make it more of a challenge to get there though, you can follow a 7km one-way walking route from Perissa. Find out more here.

If considering any of the above, read the trail description and conditions to ensure it’s suitable for your experience and physical state, slap on suncream, start early, and stay hydrated!

We use the AllTrails app and website to find hiking routes on our travels, and it also includes excellent downloadable maps and route reviews.

Where To Stay in Perissa

There are two main things to be aware of before booking accommodation in Perissa:

1. Lots of places are set back a 5-10 minute walk from the beach front

2. Perissa merges with Perivolos beach midway along the 7km stretch of coast. Virtually indistinguishable from one another, they’re often lumped in together. The Perissa side closest to Mesa Vuono hill has more amenities, so just bear this in mind if you would prefer to be based at one end over the other, or don’t fancy walking too far each day.

We’ve shared our pick of the best accommodation in Perissa below, with something to suit every travel style and budget.

Perissa hotels

Aqua Blue Beach Hotel | Located right on the beach front, this excellent hotel offers a variety of minimalist, sleek and modern rooms in a tasteful whitewash building, situated around a gorgeous pool area. Buffet restaurant, kids area and spa treatments available. Find out more here.

Meltemi Blu | If you prefer your holidays to be kids free, this beautiful hotel may be perfect. The rooms are light, tastefully furnished and contemporary, with many offering a private hot tub or plunge pool and the communal areas are spacious and well thought out - especially the lovely pool area. This hotel can be booked on Booking.com or as part of a package holiday on TUI.

Other excellent adults-only hotel include Kouros Village Hotel and Anastasia Princess Luxury Residence.

Opalia Suites | Whilst this hotel doesn’t have a communal swimming pool, we’re absolutely in love with its aesthetic (all natural fibres, rattan, wood and beautifully contemporary). The rooms and suites are huge and all come with a private hot tub or small pool. A perfect romantic getaway. Find out more here.

We noticed Exi Sea Side Suites on our Perissa wanderings, and upon learning about their eco-credentials it has to go in the guide! Throw in the fact that it’s beautifully designed and in a great location, it’s a fab option for a couple! It’s also available on Airbnb.

If you’re looking for a mid-range, highly-rated hotel in Perissa that won’t break the bank even in mid-August (all have rooms for less than £120 a night during the peak months), take a look at these four: Roula Villa Studios & Apartments, Anezina Villas, Anna Maria Rooms Santorini and Irigeneia Hotel.

Perissa Airbnbs & Apartments

Elia Mini Suite B | If you’re a couple wanting to find an apartment in Perissa, look no further than this one! It’s small but perfectly formed, well-located, impeccably decorated and has a gorgeous little outside terrace area. Find out more here.

If the above isn’t available, our second favourite small apartment for a couple is the light, bright and modern Sunhaus 2 with a wonderful sea view.

Looking after the pennies? The excellently rated and super popular Villa siderenia Deppy is our top budget pick.

Sunhaus 3 | This is our top pick for those seeking a two bedroom apartment. Super close to the beach and restaurants, it’s modern, and decorated in the authentic Santorini style. A big selling point is the presence of not one but two terraces - one on the ground floor, and one rooftop! Find out more here.

There aren’t many three bedroom properties in Perissa, but if you’re travelling with a family, this Airbnb has good reviews and a private hot tub. Alternatively, this option is very popular and has access to a communal pool.

Hostels

Utopia Hostel | For those travelling in Santorini on a tight budget, or a single traveller wanting to meet others along the way, the good news is that Perissa is home to this super highly-rated hostel, that also happens to be a part of Tranquillo, that excellent restaurant we mentioned earlier! Find out more here.

How To Get To Perissa & Transport Connections

Santorini is a small island, and most of you will arrive by flight to Santorini (Thira) International Airport JTR or at Athinios Port if travelling by ferry from Athens or another Greek island.

How you then choose to reach Perissa and navigate Santorini will largely be based on your budget, trip length, and travel style.

For some, it's going to make sense to hire a car at the airport, whilst others will prefer to rely on a combination of the excellent public bus network, taxis, and highly-rated Santorini tours.

We've shared more information to help you decide in our explainer post: How To Get Around Santorini

In terms of transport connections in and out of Perissa for day trips or arrival, this is what you need to know:

From Thira Airport TO PERISSA

The airport (maps) is the most convenient and affordable place to pick up a rental car for your trip, and usually much cheaper than taking taxis, transfers, and just renting a car in Perissa for a day or two.

We recommend looking + booking via Rentalcars.com and AutoEurope, both of which we use when doing road trips and hiring cars in Europe. It's a good idea to check and compare on both to find the best deal available for your trip!

From the airport to Perissa, it’s a 13km/25-minute drive (note that, although they’re really close to each other on the map, you have drive inland to the west coast first before switching back to the east because of the hills).

There’s no direct bus, so you will have to take the airport bus to main town of Fira (10 minutes / €1.60, and transfer there for the Fira to Perissa bus (see below). Alternatively, the on-demand shuttle bus at arrivals costs €15 per person, but you have to wait until there are 4-6 passengers for the same destination. A taxi will cost in the region of €25.

Alternatively, you can book a pre-arranged private transfer here, that will meet you at the airport arrivals.

From Athinios Ferry Port

On the southwest side of the island, Athinios Ferry port is where you'll arrive if travelling by ferry from mainland Greece or the islands.

Note that it's sometimes referred to as 'Thira Port' or 'New Port', but is not the port used by cruise ships in Fira with the cable car.

To avoid confiusion, its port code is ATI and you can find Athinios Ferry Port here on Google Maps.

If you're planning to travel between a few Greek Islands, two websites are an excellent resource for the country's ferry timetables, routes, and tickets: FerryHopper and DirectFerries.

From the port, a direct bus to Perissa costs €1.60 and taxi should cost €15-20.

Do note that in peak summer the small port can become very crowded and busy, meaning you may have to wait a while for your onward transport or to find a free cab. Alternatively, you can make things more convenient by pre-booking a taxi or transfer, who will be waiting for you off the ferry.

There are a several car rental companies down there too, but prices are usually much higher than at the airport - you can book with the main companies here by selecting 'Santorini Port' under the pick-up locations. Do note though that it is a very steep, twisting ascent from the port, and not recommended for inexperienced drivers.

Bus To Perissa

The public buses on Santorini are excellent and affordable way to travel, but often full and can sometimes make it feel like you're just part of a big tour group.

There’s a regular direct bus to Perissa beach from Fira (25 minutes, €1.60) and those of you staying in Oia or Imergovili should connect there. There is also a direct line to Perissa from Messaria and Karterados, but that’s more likely to be used as a connection point.

You can find the main bus stop in Perissa here on Google Maps, situated just in front of the beautiful blue dome Church of the Holy Cross. You can find all routes, timetables and prices on the official KTEL Santorini bus website, but it’s also listed at the bus stop and easier to pop by there if looking for bus connections to the rest of the island for day trips (which will usually involve a connection in Fira)

For more information on routes, connections, and tips to avoid the worst queues, read How To Get Around Santorini

Rental Car + Parking

There are a few agencies offering car rental in Perissa if you want to rent for a single day or spontaneously, as well as ATV rentals if you want something a little more adventurous to explore Santorini.

Note that prices are dependent on time of year, with increases of around 35-50% from low to the mid + high seasons (see 23 Things To Know Before You Visit Santorini for more information).

As mentioned, we recommend booking a rental car in advance of your arrival and collecting it at the airport for the best deal - find prices + availability for your dates on Rentalcars and AutoEurope.

There’s ample free parking around Perissa only a few steps from the beach. You can park on the main road parallel to the beach, but for ease we recommend heading to parking lots here) or here first to be in the ‘centre’ of the beach, or to the larger car park here. Alternatively, there are two large lots at the top end by Mesa Hill here and here.

For more advice on conditions, insurance scams, and driving permits, make sure to read '7 Things To Know Before Driving in Santorini' (published soon)

The Boat FROM KamarI TO PERISSA

Finally, there is a little boat taking people between Perissa and Kamari. It has regular departures, starting at 10am from Kamari, then 10:15 back from Perissa, and you can find it waiting in the water at the top end of the beach in front the Delimar restaurants (maps). We saw it but don’t know prices I’m afraid - please feel free to share in the comments if you take it!

The final departure from Kamari is 4.30pm, and from Perissa it’s 5pm.